Actuator for fire extinguishers



April 22, 1930. H. w. PARTLOW 1,755,835

ACTUATOR FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHERS Filed Aug. 31, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 22, 1930. Hrw. PARTLow I 1,755,835

ACTUATOR FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHERS lfiled Aug. 31, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 22, 1930 f UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE I v HOWARD w. rAn'rLow, or n'rrcn, NEW YORK ACTUATOR For FIBEIEXTINGUISHHERSV rapplicatiion filed August a1, 1928, Serial No. 303,232.

This invention relates to an automatic fire extinguisher of the type wherein containers containin foamite-or other extin uishin medium are'arranged to discharge their contents when the container is'tilted or inverted mechanically. The containers of the aforesaid type are usually mounted above or near dipping-tanks, or the like, where the hazard of fire is greatest, so as to enable the apparatus to readily and quickly smother or quench incipient fires,bydischarging foani tral vertical section, the weighted plunger or otherfiuid into or around the tanks. 7

The object of the present invention is to provide novel construction of the actuators that control the mechanism which directly supports the containers inthe ready-to-operate position. The actuators may be employed singly or in multiple and may be located in different parts of the building wherever the chief fire hazards may be. The present actuator is shown as an enclosed unit, in which is disposed a gravity air compressor, comprising an upright cylinder and a piston or plunger whose free end is enlarged to increase its weight, and by which a strong blast or pulsation of air is delivered to the container-releasing mechanism by means of a conduit, the plunger being operated by gravity during the compressing strokes, and being held in its elevated or inoperable position, by a train of novel interlocking levers, said levers being tripped for enabling the heavy plunger to gravitate, by means of an extremely sensitive thermostat. A further object is to provide means for adjusting the levers, so as to quickenor retard theaction of the air compressor. a further object is to provide means for manually elevating the compressing element for automatically setting the levers, in order tosustain said element until the thermostat operates.

I attain the objects by the means 'set forth in the detailed description which follows,

and. as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is adiagrammat-ic view, showing the gr'avitative container, the container releasing means,and a plurality of distant actuators. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the releasing mechanism. Fig. 3 is a front face view of the same. Fig. 4 is an interior view of the release withthe cover removed. Fig. 5 is an enlarged front elevation of the] actuator mechanism, the cover being removed, showing the air compressor partially in elevation andpartially in cenbeing in its elevated'position, the interlocking levers being set'to uphold the weight, and the dotted lines showing the operated positions of the several parts. Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on line 6-6 of Fig.I 5 And Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken on line 77 of Fig. 4, showing the release mechanism that controls the tilting of the container. I

In the drawings, 2 represents an open upright frame in which is pivotally mounted a V well-known type of container, as 3, for .fire

extinguishing fluids, the pivot 2 being so located as toenable the head 3 ofthe container' to gravitate, to discharge the contents, as shown in Fig. 1. The head 3" is iitted with a chain or other flexible part,'as 3", by which the container may be held elevated or inoperative by a local releasing mechanism, as 4, comprising a metallic casing 4 having one open. side which may be closed by a cover, as 4 The top portion 4 of the casing is cylindrical, its rear inner wall being formed with a cavity 4, and over this cavity is disposed a diaphragm 5, which is held in. place'by a disc 5 in which is formed a complementary cavity or chamber 5. The chamber 4 communicates with the port 4 to which a nipple 6 may be attached. The

. versely through thecasing 4 and is jouring, parallel to the shaft 7.

naled at a in its opposite walls. W'ithin the casing a collar 7 a is mounted rigidly on shaft 7, the said collar being formed with a depending arm 7, which is movable with the lever 7 The free end of arm 7 is arranged to overlap the short arm 8 of a bell-crank, for holding the container in the elevated position, shown by full line in Fig. 1. This bell-crank is pivotally mounted on a shaft 8' that also passes transversely through the cas- The longer arm 8 of .the bell crank extends upwardly beneath .the shaft 7-,.and its top end isfittefd with an adjusting, screw 8 that alines axially with the diaphragm 5, the said screw being resiliently held by-"a spring '89 i'n contact with the exposed end of a plunger or stem 5, which reciprocates in-an opening-in the disc 5. The oppositeor inner end ofthe plunger is formed witha 'di'Sc-like'head '5 that ienga ges -.the diaphragm ,5 When 'athe diaphragm is flexed by a bl-astofairldcliv ered to thechamber 4,"the plunger 5 roc'ks the .bell crank in [the direction 'for disenga ing the toothg8 and the arm 7 SillliGlLJQ-i leases the container I3, as may be understood by consulting Figs. land 7. Afteritheoperation of the container, spring's roclrstbe bell-crank in .the 5 opposite. direction and enables the teeth 1 S te again hold the lever .7 in its elevated position, shown in Figsf'l 2, 3, 4i and7. Immediately after the container is released, ,a spring '7 lifts .the' arm :7 and also the lever '17 to "the inoperative position,

. ready to support the container, after the same hasbeen recharged or replaced. The releasing .of the container, as explained, is effected by a suddenblast of aircommunicatedtothe chamber4.,.by,a,pipe 9, which connects with the nipple. 6. The local releasing mechanism 4 is preferably operated byone or more thermally controlled actuators, which.may.be. located in any convenient part of the-buildingas shown in Fig. 1. Aide scription of the 'actuator follows: The .workingparts of the actuator are-supporte'd by a .base 10 having its perimeter formed with: a narrow rflange 10., .which .re-

ceives theropen side-of .a-cupsshaped 'casing -10'f, for completely housingof all the parts, except the thermostat 112, which is supported lug 10 that is integral with the base. 13 represents generally the air compressor comprising an upright cylinder .13, which parallelsthe base and is provided with feet 13' which are secured to the baseby screws 13 The bore 13ofthe cylinder extends to a point near its bottomand istappedbya tubulararm 13 that extends-horizontally through, the closed end ofthe casing, to which .a nut 139*isappliedfor holding the casing in place. Anipple 13 rscrews into the arm 18 to which thepipe 9-connects. Theopen endtofcylinder 13 is fitted with arsolid ,cylindricalyplunger or piston .14 whoseprorangement of the actuator mechanism may be efiected. The plunger 14 is held elevated, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, by a pin 16 which is formed with a round end 16 to facilitate the quick release of the plunger when the locking pressure against the pin is relaxed.

The 'pin'l6'is held in the locking position by .a short arm 17 of a bell-crank a which is pivoted -ins-a-splitlug 16 of the cylinder.

The weight 15 is raised by a forked member -18 whichis pivoted between the base and the cover and is fitted withanexternal handlever 18, by which the member is manipulated. This forked member is normally held in its lower position, shown in Fig. 6, by gravity, the arms 1850f said member straddling the'cylinder 13 andbeing disposed in the path of. the weight 15. The upward swingof the lever 18, as shownin Fig. 5, raises the weight .and plunger. and simultaneously rocks an angular member 19 which is also pivotedto the base, in .the direction for shooting the pin 16.inwar dly beneath the plunger To this end, the member .19 is formedv with'an arm 19 that: overlies the weight 15 and also .with .a similar arm19 that is in constant engagement withthe arm 17 of the bell-crank, which in turn engages the headofpin 16. [In practice, the. actuator is disposed vertically {and most of its Working partsoperate in vertical planes, as may be understood by consulting Figs. 5 and 6. The bell-crank a is movedtowards and is held in:the full-line position of Fig. 5, by the member'19 by the elevation of plunger and weight .15. Atthe instant theweight 15 completes. its upward stroke anv upright member, a sortofffioatinglever, as 20, moves in- .wardly beneaththe tipof the long arm 1'? of thebelLcrank a, by the tension of a spring 21. This tends to hold the rpartsin-the readyto-operateoposition, shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Themember 20 is operated against the tension of spring 21, for tripping. or releasing the bell-crank a toenable the weight 15 to gravitate, :'by the thermostat 12, which comwhich extends through the lug 10 and supports a yoke-like memberr23. The opposite end :of the rod extends beyond the corresponding end of the tube. 22, and is. fitted with a nut23 which engagesthe tube. 'Thc turning of the nut in opposite directions LOU ' 24 are virtually bell-cranks, the short arms V V ried'by the member 20, The pull on the red I I V the air in cylinder 13, as described.

. tripping of the lever a towards the dotted sov of which are in constant engagement with the yoke 23,"while the longer arms extend beyond the yoke and are positioned between and engage] respectively pins-20''2O can 23 by the elongation of the tub'e'22, spreads the long arms of the dogs and effects theoutward swing of the top end of member 20, for tripping or releasing the lever a, which enables the weight 15 to gravitate and compress The position of Fig. 5 relievesthe pressure on the pin 16, and the plunger readily forces the pin outwardly and descends without 'restraint. This gravitation of the plunger generates a relatively strong blast, of air which is transmitted pipe 9 to the diaphragm 5 of the mechanism 4-, for releasing the tank 3,

as explained.

My invention is extremely simple, being composed of'but few parts which act positively and reliably, and are notliable to get out of order. The primary actuating means comprising the thermostat l2 and related parts, are so sensitive that they. operate to release the containers in from five to ten seconds time, reckoned from the flashing of v the contents of a dipping-tank, and it is more or less common experience to find a fire smothered or quenched after a lapse of from thirty to forty seconds following thereleasing of the containers. After each operation of the actuators, all that is required, of the operator to re-set the working parts is, to swing the hand-lever 18, as from the full line to the dotted line positiomshown in Fig. 1, or the dotted position of Fig. 5, In

respect to the releasing mechanism a, owing to'the resistance ofieredby the cover 4 to the tension of springs'if'andb"; the latter autos matic'ally re-settherocking parts 7, 7 and 8 which cooperate to supportthe container in the elevated position ready for a subsequent operation.

Having thus I claim, is' I 1;. In an actuator forfire extinguishers, 'an air compressor including a hollow upright cylinder and a weighted piston movable therein,means tov manually elevate the piston, a bolt movable through an opening in the described my invention, what wall of the cylinder to hold the piston elevated, a rockable member to'slide and hold the bolt engaged with the piston, a member operable by the upward movement of the piston to cause the rockable member to thrust the boltjbeneath the piston at the end of its upward stroke, said bolt having an end formed for camming engagement with-the piston, whereby upon release of the bolt by the rockable' member the weight of the piston will move the bolt out of engagement therewith, a thermostat, and means actuated by the thermostat adapted to trip said rockable means for enabling the piston to gravitate for compressing the air in the cylinder. '2. In an actuator for controlling the release mechanism of fire extinguishers, a base, a hollow cylinder mounted on the base, a

i ht d' hmger reciprocatable in said cylinder, means to elevate the plunger, a pin movable across the path of the plunger, a bell-crank to thrust and hold the pin beneath the plunger, said pin having a part formed for camming engagement with the piston, whereby upon release of the pin by the bell-crank, the weight of the piston will move the pin out of engagement therewith, a' floating member to engage and prevent the accidental rocking of the bell-crank; and the gravitation of the plunger, a thermostat 0peratively connected with said member adapted when elongated by a quick rise of temperature to disconnect the floating lever and bell-crank to enable the gravitativeforce of the plunger to generate a strong blast of air to actuate the release mechanism.

3. In an actuator for automatic fire extinguishers, a base, an air compressor comprising a hollow upright cylinder and a weighted plunger movable by gravity thereinj during its compression strokeymeans to elevate the plunger, means adapted to be projected into the bore'of the cylinder to prevent accidental gravitation of the plunger, abell-crankto control said preventive means, said preventive means being formed for camming engagementwith the piston wherebyupon release of the preventive means by the bell-crank the weight of the piston will move the preventive means out of engagemerit therewith, means controlled by the upward movement of the plunger to cause the bell-crank to project said preventive'means beneath the plunger, a thermostat supported by thebase, and means controlled by the thermostat to'trip said bell-crank to enable the plunger to gravitate and compress the air in said cylinder.

4. An actuator for operating the release. mechanism of afire extinguisher from a distance comprising a cylinder and a plunger' movable by gravity therein to generate a strong blast of air to actuate the release mechanism, means engaging the plunger to prevent accidental gravitation thereof and having c amming engagement therewith whereby gravitation ofthe plunger causes said plunger engaging means to be moved out of engagement with the plunger, means 7 to elevatetheplunger, means actuated by the a weighted plunger reeiprocatable in said cylinder, a bolt movable across the path of the plunger, said bolt having, cammingengagementwith the plunger whereby upon relea'seof the boltvthe weight of the ,plunger will movethe bolt out of engagement therewith, .a bellfcran'k operable by theelevation of theplunger to thrust and hold the bolt beneaththeplunger at the end of its upward stroke, a floating member to support the bell-crank in the holding position'to prevent accidentalgravitation of the plunger, a thermostat supported-by the base operatively connected .with said member adapted when elongated by quick rise oftemperature in the vicinity of the actuator to break the connection of the floating member with the bellcrank to enable the plunger to eject, the bolt and; gravitate for generating acstrong blast of air to operate the release mechanism.

.l 6. Means. to, actuate the releasing mechannism of a fire, extinguisher comprising an air pumpincluding a, hollow upright cylinder and a gravitative plunger reciprocatable therein,means to manually elevate the plunger in readiness to effect the compression V strol;es,.a.stop to controlthe gravitation of the plunger havingcamming engagement with the plunger whereby upon release of the stop gravitation ofthe plungerlwill move the stop out of engagement therewith, abellcrankvto move the stop beneaththe plunger, a rockable member actuated by the upward movement of the plunger for effecting the engagement of the bell-crank with said stop, akfioating lever cooperating with the bellcrank to hold saidstop beneaththe plunger, and a thermostat adapted when expanded by a quick riseof temperature to sway said lever for, relieving the-pressure of the bell-crank againstlsaidstop toenable the plunger to gravitate and generate a sudden blast of air tooperate said, releasing mechanism.

)7. An, actuator for the release mechanism of fire extinguishers, including a cylinder having a gravity responsive pistontherein,

' latchingmeans to prevent the pistonirom gravitating, ,anovable means to hold said latc ngrme n ag s m ementga d t mp e ontr led mea tore eas sai holding means said latching means vbeing formed (for camming engagement with the piston wherebyqthe latching ,means ,upon release of h heldi smeansi autema sa ly moved by: the Qvveight ef the piston out. of engagement with the latter, to enable v the pi-ston to descend and create ablast o-iairto -actllfltfiqlihGIQlGfctSG mechanism.

8. An actuator gfornthemelease mechanism of fire extinguishers, includinga cylinder having a gravity responsive piston therein, latching means to prevent thepiston ,from gravitating, (movable Ineans to hold said h n mea s-a s movement emp r ture controlled means to-release said -,ho lding means said latching means being formed for camrning engagement with the pisto n whereby the latching means ,upon release ,of the holding. means is automatically moved the weight of the piston out of engagement with the latter to enable the pistonitofdescendan d create. a blast of air to actuate the release mechanism, means to elevate the piston, and means operable by the elevating movement of the pistonrto restore said holding'means and thereby, the latching. means to normal position.

9. An actuator forithe release mechanism of fire extinguishers includinga cylinder and a gravity responsive piston therein, means to hold the piston elevated, rockingmeans to move said holding means into andtometain I same in operativeposition, means to elevate the piston, temperature controlled means ,to release said rocking means, said holding means being formed for camming.,engagement withf'the piston whereby the holding means upon release of the rocking means ,is moved by ;.theweight of the piston out of holding, engagement with the latter to permit the piston to descend and compress the air in the cylinder thereby to operate the release mechanism, and means operable by the elevating of the piston to restpresaid rocking meansandtherebvthe piston holding means to normal-position.

10. An actuatorforthe release mechanism of fire extinguishers including a cylinder, and a gravity responsive pistonthereimmeans to hold the piston elevated having camming engagement therewith, whereby gravitation of the piston causes the latter to move the holding means out of engagement with the piston, and temperaturecontrolled means for normally retaining'the holding means engaged with the piston and upon' rise in temperature releasing the holding means for movenienathereby to release the pistonwfor gravitation and to compress theairinthe cy nde 7 i 11. An actuator tor the release mechanism of fire extinguishers including a cylinder and a gravity responsive. piston, therein, means to hold thepistenelevated having ramming engagement therewith, whereby gravitation of the piston causes the latter to move the holding means out of engagement with the piston, means to actuate said holding means into and to retain same in operative position, means to elevate the iston; temperature controlled means norma 1y retaining said actu-, ating means 1n operatlve position and upon risein temperature releasing said actuating means and means operable by and upon eleva- I tion of the piston to restore said actuating means and thereby the piston and holding means to normalposition.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HOWARD 'W. PARTLOW. 

